News Broadcasting
Action heats up at 29th Annual Rapa Awards
MUMBAI: It might be 29 year old, but it still remains one of a kind.
The awards instituted to laud excellence in television and cinema AKA Rapa, will is all geared to present awards in 53 categories comprising works from television, radio and advertising and has invited entries in 17 Indian languages. For the first time, the committee has instituted a Best Radio Jockey award.
“We have had 700 entries last year and this year we have already crossed 1000. There is no question of extending the date but in fact I think we might even have to turn down couple of entries,” Rapa President Brij Mittle offered.
Speaking about the quality of the content Mittle offered, “We often hold the awards ceremony either in the last week of April so that we include the all the work from last year. This time on looking at the amount of entries we might have it in the first week of May. It is a clear indication the quality is better and the competition is going to be tough this year.”
As for the actual break up of the awards, there are 13 categories for radio, 10 for television advertising, and 25 for television (including serials, Music Video and telefilms), while the remaining five are special awards. Last date for receiving entries is 28 February 28 2004.
“Just like last year, we will be having a group of 60 judges, from across the country. We will be getting them to Mumbai to judge the winner directly and not the nominee list. During the day of award we will be announcing the winners. But to ensure that the winners are present at the venue, we will be informing them a couple of days in advance,” Mittle offered.
The special Rapa Awards include Rapa Hamid Sayani Trophy for all around contribution to Radio/Television, Rapa K.K Suvarna Trophy for Outstanding voice performance, Rapa Sheel Kumar Trophy for Best Performance on TV, Rapa S S Oberoi Trophy for Campaign of the year on Television and Rapa D S Mittle trophy for Campaign of the year on Radio. The Awards committee includes Danish Khan, CM Patel, R Jankiraman, R Swaminathan, Pramod Suri and Manoj Lunia.
While last year the awards ceremony was sponsored by Radio Mirchi, Sony, Sab and Pritish Nandy Communication, MTV sent in their VJs as the presenters. The organising committee is keen on signing some sponsors this year as well. But the organizers will approach the sponsors only once the judging process is underway, so that “that they don’t influence the judging” offers Mittle.
The awards function might be held at Taj Lands End, like last year, or they might look out for a new venue like Grand Intercontinental.
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
